FCB bails out on Gallo

Published on April 12, 2000.

FCB Worldwide, San Francisco, on April 11 resigned the E&J Gallo Winery account that the agency won in 1994. Geoff Thompson, chairman-CEO of FCB's San Francisco office, said in a statement: "There is a difference between a client that is merely 'difficult' and a client that consistently asks you to compromise your standards and your integrity.'' Over the years, FCB had done work for the Gallo of Sonoma, Turning Leaf, E&J Gallo, Gossamer Bay and Indigo Hills brands. Gallo handled media buying in-house. Spending fluctuated over the years but was well under $15 million, said an executive familiar with the account. Gerry Glasgow, Gallo's VP-marketing, issued a statement saying, "Gallo has respected the work that Foote, Cone & Belding has done for the winery, and we wish them well."